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The course provides students with a basic overview of the principles of sustainability applied in the food industry and biotechnology. It is based on current European and national strategies, including the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy. Students will learn about the structure and functioning of the food system in the context of its environmental, economic and social impacts, including methods for assessing sustainability, the circular economy and value chain management. The course includes lectures and practical exercises aimed at developing skills for modelling and assessing material and energy flows and understanding the environmental benefits and risks of selected innovations in food production.
Last update: Pivoňka Jan (13.08.2025)
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As part of the course, students complete a case study, the submission of which is a requirement for receiving the course credit. The examination consists of a written part followed by an oral examination. Last update: Pivoňka Jan (30.01.2026)
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Obligatory:
Last update: Pivoňka Jan (31.01.2026)
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The course combines lectures focused on sustainability principles, the functioning of the food system, and European strategies with practical training in analytical and assessment tools. The exercises develop students’ skills in modelling material and energy flows and in evaluating sustainable technologies or practices. Emphasis is placed on applying theory in practice through case studies, team tasks, and work with real data. Last update: Pivoňka Jan (30.01.2026)
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As part of the course, students complete a case study, the submission of which is a requirement for receiving the course credit. The examination consists of a written part followed by an oral examination. Last update: Pivoňka Jan (30.01.2026)
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1. Introduction to sustainability - definition, SDG, Green Deal, project brief 2. Food system and its impacts (environmental, economic, social) 3. Farm to Fork strategy and European legislation in the field of food 4. Circular economy and food industry 5. Sustainable food consumption and demand management, environmental aspects of nutrition 6. Material and energy flows in the agri-food sector 7. Carbon footprint calculation (GHG protocol) 8. Life cycle assessment (LCA, PEF) in the food industry 9. Prevention and use of food waste, packaging, packaging waste 10. Biodiversity and sustainable agriculture, deforestation 11. Sustainable processing technologies 12. Responsible value chain management 13. Social and ethical aspects of food production (animal welfare, food accessibility, etc.) 14. Presentation of team outputs, course summary Last update: Pivoňka Jan (09.03.2026)
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Sustainable Development Goals (FAO) https://www.fao.org/sustainability/en/
Sustainable Food Systems – Concept and Framework (FAO, SDG orientace) https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/b620989c-407b-4caf-a152-f790f55fec71/content
Online Resources on Sustainable Food Systems – EC (SDG, LCA, CE) https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/global-food-nutrition-security/topic/sustainable-food-systems/online-resources-sustainable-food-systems_en
Food Systems – Research & Innovation (Farm to Fork, LCA, circular economy) https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/environment/bioeconomy/food-systems_en
EU Pathway Towards Sustainable Food Systems Transformation (Farm to Fork) https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/publication/eu-pathway-towards-sustainable-food-systems-transformation_en Last update: Pivoňka Jan (31.01.2026)
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After completing the course, the student will be able to: 1. Explain the basic principles of sustainable development in the context of food and biotechnology. 2. Identify and describe the main environmental and climate impacts of individual links in the food chain. 3. Analyze the impact of selected production, processing and consumption practices on sustainability. 4. Apply basic sustainability assessment tools, such as the balance approach and life cycle assessment (LCA). 5. Design and critically evaluate measures to increase sustainability in specific cases from food and biotechnology practice. 6. Cooperate in solving case studies and present the results of teamwork. Last update: Pivoňka Jan (13.08.2025)
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Last update: Pivoňka Jan (31.01.2026)
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Last update: Pivoňka Jan (31.01.2026)
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| Coursework assessment | |
| Form | Significance |
| Regular attendance | 20 |
| Defense of an individual project | 20 |
| Examination test | 30 |
| Oral examination | 30 |

